Tall Men Clothing: The Mystery of Vogue 4742

Monday, January 13, 2014

The Mystery of Vogue 4742

Readers, I have an unfortunate habit. When I'm not deeply immersed in a sewing project, my attention wanders to sites like eBay.

Yesterday I won the pattern up top. It's Vogue 4742 and I'm guessing it dates from the mid-to-late 1940's. Given the fullness of the gown, maybe 1947?

The seller didn't have the envelope but the pattern is complete. The seller also didn't know the exact size, but given the very basic bodice shape, I'm not sure it matters much. What drew me to the pattern was the skirt, and in particular, those wide pannier-like hips.

I've always been intrigued by padding. and hip padding intrigues me most of all.

One of my favorite looks, though I've never recreated it, is the 1920's robe de style gown, with its pannier-shaped sides.

Women have been padding their hips for centuries of course, in all sorts of interesting ways and with all sorts of interesting results.

I'm very curious to know what's being used in Vogue 4742 and if whatever-it-is is included in the pattern itself. I haven't been able to find any information about this Vogue pattern anywhere, nor have I seen anything quite like anywhere else.

I did find a photo of the Lanvin gown from the mid-40's, however.

There was definitely a renewed interest in the female hip in the fashions of the late 1940's, though in commercial sewing patterns this is usually expressed as a ruffle or peplum. In couture, there's a lot of interior padding -- or what looks like it.